This weekend is the 93rd Indianapolis (Indy) 500. The 33 car field and huge prize ($2,988,065 in 2008) for top spot is sure to keep the event entertaining.

The Indy 500 includes 200 laps over a 2.500 mile (4.023 km) circuit for a total race distance of 500 miles (804 km). The fast lap (race) record holder is Eddie Cheever in 1996 with a speed of 236.103 mph (379.971 km/h).

To make the race extra challenging, there are four former Indy 500 winners in the starting field (Castroneves, Dixon, Franchitti, and Wheldon). Franchitti is starting in position three and will be nipping at the heels of Castroneves from the first wave of the green flag. Back from the top three positions are some other drivers to watch, including: Dixon (starting in position 5), Kanaan (starting in position 6), Marco Andretti (starting in position 8), and Tracy (starting in position 13). Also adding to the importance of this race is the fact that over the past four years the Indy 500 winner has gone on to win the IndyCar season.

Tracy will be really interesting to watch because of his controversial “win” in the 2002 Indy 500, which was later confirmed as second place. Running under the Team Green 7-Eleven banner, Tracy was awarded second place after a ruling from IRL that the placement of the race cars at the commencement of the yellow caution period immediately after an accident on Lap 199 “is a judgment call and is not protestable nor appealable under the Rule Book.” I’m sure he’ll be pushing hard to secure his first official win in this year’s race.

Past Podium Results
Past top three finishes at the Indy 500 include: Dixon, Meira, Andretti (2008); Franchitti, Dixon, Castroneves (2007); Hornish Jr., Marco Andretti, Michael Andretti (2006); Wheldon, Meira, Herta (2005) and Rice, Kanaan, Wheldon (2004).

Resources

• For people looking for the 93rd Indy 500 starting grid you’ll find it attached.
• For those looking for the Indy 500 schedule of activities you’ll also find that attached.